Co-hosts Mexico are through to the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup with a hard-earned 1-0 win over Korea in front of a vociferous home fans at the Guadalajara Stadium
Luis Romo’s goal just after half-time put Mexico through as Group A winners with a match to go following a goalkeeping mistake by Kim Seung-gyu. In contrast, Mexico stopper Raul Rangel made a superb double save in the dying minutes to preserve their lead.
Finishing top keeps Mexico at home in the last 32 with a game against a third-placed team in Mexico City. Korea Republic are second on three points, with Czechia and South Africa also still alive on one.
Both teams went into the clash in front of a passionate home crowd knowing that victory would guarantee progress in double-quick time.
Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre made three changes from the side that beat South Africa 2-0 a week ago to open the tournament.
His counterpart Hong Myung-bo made just one alteration, largely keeping faith with the team that fought back to defeat the Czechia 2-1.
Korea Republic skipper Son Heung-min had the first sniff at goal after 15 minutes, looping the ball over Rangel only for Edson Alvarez to prevent it going in with a bicycle kick on the line.
Los Angeles FC attacker Son was belatedly flagged for offside although replays suggested it was a close call.
Julian Quinones, who scored the opening goal of the tournament, then forced Korea Republic goalkeeper Kim into a good save from a header, raising the decibels.
The rest of an uneventful half belonged to Korea Republic as they stroked the ball around at will, without ever creating a clear chance, but they did succeed in silencing the home support.
The hosts started the second period with far more intent, and five minutes in they went ahead when the goalkeeper Kim came for a high ball and clattered into his own player, spilling it straight to Romo.
He just needed to poke the ball first time into an unguarded net, triggering pandemonium.
Hong took off Son before the hour and threw on Hwang Hee-chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers but the Koreans were mostly ineffective going forward until the final few minutes, when Guadalajara native Rangel came to Mexico’s rescue.
They will face the Czechia in their dead-rubber final group game while Korea play South Africa.
